Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 1166 The Cabinet vs. the Directorate of Ceremonial
Inside the tent,

The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat tense.

Fucha Zhen's smile faltered slightly, then spread again, as if she hadn't heard those distant words.
"Madam speaks frankly, so I, the Banner Chief, will get straight to the point. The Great Khan's intention is to restore order to the grasslands, form alliances with all tribes, and work together for a long and prosperous era! Madam has already blocked our path on this westward march, so I have 50,000 Eight Banner soldiers waiting behind me. If Madam does not agree, war will be imminent."

Although Fucha Zhen spoke forcefully and eloquently, he was actually quite uneasy. After the Great Khan's defeat in the north, he fell seriously ill and his health was depleted. Although he seemed to be recovering now, it was hard to say whether he would recover in the future. In particular, the banner leaders could not stand each other, and the princes were still young. If something happened to the Great Khan, what would become of the Jurchens? In any case, if Huyan Han were to vie for the throne, he would absolutely not give up.

Looking up at the pearl of the grasslands before him, he realized it was no longer what it used to be. But with a mission on his shoulders, he still emphasized the words "50,000 Eight Banners soldiers" and observed Wu Yayu's reaction.

But seeing that the other party remained calm, he changed his tone, making his words more seductive:

"Madam, the Great Khan, mindful of the blood ties between your tribe and mine, is unwilling to wage war against you. He has specially ordered this banner chief to sincerely invite you to reconcile! If you simply nod your head, all past grievances will be wiped clean. You will remain a noble Princess Gulun, and your tribe will be granted the most fertile pastures! The Great Khan has even promised to share the profits from trade beyond the Great Wall with you. At that time, silk, tea, salt, and iron from the Han lands will flow continuously into your pastures, and your cattle, sheep, and horses will be sold far and wide."

"Madam, as the Han people say, 'When you are in charge of your own household, why live under someone else's roof?' Madam, do not forget that Marquis Luoyun is ultimately a Han Chinese! Those who are not of our race will surely have different hearts! Today he needs you to defend the border for him, but tomorrow, when he is invincible, who knows if he will discard you after he has served his purpose?"

This speech was also learned from the eloquence of Han scholars and literati. They could say the same thing, but put it differently and talk the dead back to life. After Fucha Zhen finished speaking, he stared intently at Wuya Yu, hoping to see a hint of wavering or worry on her face. If Wuya Yu remained indifferent, the Jurchens' westward advance would truly be difficult, and the future of his tribe might depend on his wife.

A brief silence fell over the tent, broken only by the sound of everyone's breathing. The hands of the two guards holding the gift boxes were a little sore, and their foreheads were slightly sweaty, but they dared not show the slightest change in expression.

Wu Yayu slowly raised her eyes, her gaze revealing no hesitation or fear that Fucha Zhen had anticipated, only a clear smile that held a hidden meaning.
"Heh, Commander Fucha Zhen, what you call blood ties? Are you referring to Huang Jitai forcing my father and brothers to their deaths? Did he ever consider our blood ties at all? It was all just empty talk, all flowery words. The blood debt hasn't been settled yet, how can you talk about 'wiping it off'! Furthermore..."

Wu Yayu turned her gaze back to Fucha Zhen; the two of them were acquaintances.
"As for what you call 'reconciliation' and 'trade benefits'? They are nothing but illusions. He promises me great benefits today, but tomorrow he can find an opportunity to devour my tribe. Furthermore, Fucha Zhen and Huang Jitai have lost the fertile lands of the north, and their situation is already showing signs of danger. If the Yuezhi people invade the south again, what if you pretend not to see it, my lord? If the people outside the pass form an alliance with the Yuezhi, will the Jurchens still have a chance to survive?"

Each question was like a heavy hammer blow to Fucha Zhen's heart. The smile on his face completely vanished, becoming stiff and ugly. He hadn't expected Wu Yayu to see things so clearly, which was also Fucha Zhen's concern. Logically speaking, after returning from the north, they should have rested and recuperated, and established the alliance with Marquis Luoyun. This would have both stabilized the tribes and allowed them to purchase scarce food for the winter. Who knew that those short-sighted people would come up with the "compensate for the loss in the north by the west" strategy, which was extremely stupid.

"lady!"

Fucha Zhen's face was stiff, and he couldn't think of anything else to say even if he forced himself to. Suddenly, an idea struck him. The Han people say that a cunning rabbit has three burrows. If there was still a shred of decency involved, could he leave himself a way out?

“Madam, there are some things that need not be said outright. Now that the various Jurchen tribes have reached a consensus, even if someone objects, it is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. Speaking of which, Madam, I, Fucha Zhen, have truly not presented a proper congratulatory gift, which is truly shameful. Once the Marquis returns, if he is willing, everything can be discussed with me, and the friendship from that time can be fulfilled. What do you think, Madam?”

Wuya Yu's expression was somewhat strange. She sensed something amiss in these words; they meant that he was interested in me, not the Jurchen Khan. It seemed that Fucha really wanted to hedge his bets. Considering his past shrewdness, it was quite possible.

"The banner chief is indeed insightful, and Wuya Yu is truly impressed. If this negotiation fails, will the Khan remain inactive?"

"That is naturally impossible. Huyan Hankai has been trying to steal the lady for a long time. Now that such a good opportunity is in front of him, he will not be able to hold back whether he succeeds or not. Therefore, the lady still needs to retreat westward and focus on harassment. As long as the lady has 50,000 light cavalry on the outskirts, the Jurchen warriors will not go all out to attack the city. On the contrary, those Han Eight Banner bondservants are quite powerful. Of course, the return of Marquis Luoyun is another matter."

Fucha Zhen wasn't as cunning as he had been when he arrived; he spoke the truth sincerely, leaving himself an out for the future. Wu Yayu's heart stirred, and she smiled.

“It is Fucha Zhenbei Banner Chief who dares to say such things. In that case, Ya Yu will not keep you any longer. This military campaign was planned in advance. However, Fucha Ejen must not lose too many soldiers after returning. If there is an opportunity, Liaonan cannot accommodate so many people.”

He pointed south, a half-smile playing on his lips.

Fucha Zhen immediately understood, clasped his hands in greeting, and took his leave. After exiting the main tent, he mounted his horse and hurriedly departed. As he turned back, he saw the officers and soldiers outside the tent entering one by one. He sighed inwardly and asked Azige, who was following behind him.

“Father, why do you say that? What if others find out?”

I fear misfortune is imminent.

Unexpectedly, Fucha Zhen sneered.
“Aqige, a person has everything as long as he is alive. After the Great Khan’s serious illness, we don’t know how many more days he can hold on. Among the three banners, Huyan Han of the Plain Red Banner has the most power. If he wants to compete for the Great Khan’s throne, or if he recommends Hauge to the throne, Gualjia and I will never agree to it. At that time, we will have no choice but to fight each other. This western expedition will inevitably anger Marquis Luoyun. At that time…”

A strange glint flashed in his eyes;
"It just so happens that Wuyayu and we have a connection, so we should bet on both sides. Unfortunately, the Khan's elite troops are all in Helian Chen's hands and have remained neutral. Alas."

Azig was full of surprise. What his father said made perfect sense. But the wind was blowing in both directions, and the important thing was to stand firm.

"Father, what will you do after we go back?"

"Report truthfully, and absolutely do not let the news leak out."

"Yes, Amma."

Just as Fucha Zhen returned to his tent, a fierce siege was raging outside Pingliao City. The Han Eight Banners soldiers were fearless and their attack on the city was extremely urgent.

While war raged outside the Great Wall, peace and prosperity reigned inside.

Beijing,

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, yet it could not dispel the heavy, somber atmosphere.

Outside the window, it was an early autumn afternoon in the capital, with a clear sky and the faint sounds of bustling city life. But inside this majestic palace, the air seemed to freeze. The flames of war had been reignited outside the Great Wall, and much turmoil had been added inside. Bandits were rampant in various places, and mountain strongholds were everywhere. Of the refugees transported after the New Year, only the counties along the river fared somewhat better, but the northwest and southwest hinterlands remained unchanged.

The enormous gilded dragon candlesticks remained unlit, and the windows were not open, making the light inside the hall somewhat dim, which further accentuated the inscrutable expression of the emperor behind the desk, who was dressed in bright yellow robes.

Emperor Wu, Zhou Shihong, sat upright on the wide rosewood throne, his well-defined fingers unconsciously tapping on the smooth armrests, producing an almost inaudible "tap, tap" sound.

On the imperial desk in front of him, several memorials were laid out. The top one, with fresh ink, was a memorial to which the senior ministers of the cabinet had made a decision. Another one was a memorial to which Chen Hui, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, had submitted earlier. There was also a memorial left by Marquis Luoyun before he left, which was similar.

The atmosphere beneath the emperor's desk was even more oppressive.

Grand Secretary Li Chonghou, with his white hair and beard, sat solemnly at the front, his brows furrowed. Behind him stood two other cabinet ministers with equally solemn expressions, their hands hanging down.

The person opposite them was Chen Hui, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, dressed in a python robe and jade belt, with a fair face and no beard. Several eunuchs stood behind him, all holding their breath.

The debate had been going on for almost half an hour. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss Xu Changwen's final conviction. The cabinet and the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs each expressed their own opinions, which were incompatible with each other.

"His Majesty,"

Minister of Revenue Gu Yichen stepped forward again, his voice slightly hoarse yet earnest, “The case of Xu Changwen is far-reaching, with numerous memorials recording many facts, even including… some old precedents from the time of the Retired Emperor. Now that Marquis Zhang Jinyu of Luoyun has led his troops back north, the presiding official is missing. We believe that Xu Changwen should be temporarily detained in the imperial prison until Marquis Zhang returns to the capital, at which point the three judicial departments will conduct a joint trial to ensure the truth is revealed and the punishment is just. This is a mature and prudent approach, and it also demonstrates Your Majesty’s benevolent rule and keen insight.”

Gu Yichen spoke calmly, but in reality, he was using a delaying tactic. Since the presiding judge had been absent one after another, it was impossible to continue the trial. Since many things had already shown signs of trouble, why rush things? In this way, once the Emperor Emeritus calmed down, there would naturally be a way to resolve the issue.

No sooner had the words been spoken than the people of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs were about to back down, and Ma Fei's effeminate voice rang out;

"Grand Secretary Gu is mistaken! Your Majesty is wise; how can the laws of the land be disregarded because of one person? Marquis Luoyun's return north is due to the Jurchens' westward advance, which has reignited the war. Once the war begins, its end is uncertain. If Marquis Luoyun does not return, how can this case be delayed? Although the Emperor Emeritus is recuperating, for whatever reason, it is because Xu Changwen has no respect for his father and the emperor, and does not know the proper order of things. The Directorate of Ceremonial, the Three Judicial Offices, and the Cabinet initially proposed 'strangulation after autumn,' which was already done out of consideration for the dignity of the imperial family, and did not involve slow slicing. This proposal cannot be changed!"

Ma Fei's words were an attempt to seize power for the Directorate of Ceremonial. The agreed-upon charges couldn't be changed just because the Cabinet said so; otherwise, what use would the Directorate of Ceremonial be?

"Eunuch Ma!"

Standing next to Gu Yichen was Lu Wenshan, the Minister of Personnel, who finally interjected, saying:
"That's not how it works. It's said that right and wrong are complicated and unclear without debate. Xu Changwen is arrogant and has his own faults. There are still many unclear points in this interrogation. Some cases have been closed, while others are still under investigation. Furthermore, with Marquis Luoyun returning to the border, I believe that the war cannot last long. He knows that the border is bitterly cold, and it's not just talk. It's only the beginning of autumn, and there are only a few days left before the battle starts. What will happen if we wait any longer?"

Although it seemed like a way to smooth things over, it broke the Directorate of Ceremonial's rule to execute the suspect in the autumn, thus allowing the case to be delayed until next year.

The meaning was clear to everyone present, and Chen Hui snorted coldly, clearly disagreeing:
"Grand Secretary Lu, you are in charge of the Ministry of Personnel. If this proposal is approved, where is the dignity of the national law? Xu Changwen's case has already been tried and the punishment was discussed on the same day. None of you objected. Now, just a few days later, you've changed your mind like this. What about Xinyi? The Directorate of Ceremonial believes that, as the Three Judicial Offices have proposed, Xu Changwen, a rebellious scoundrel, should be executed immediately in the autumn, his family property confiscated, and his cronies exiled to the east!"

After Chen Hui finished speaking, he felt somewhat flustered. However, once a move was made, there was no going back. How could he back down? He thought of the conspiracy among the people in the Directorate of Ceremonial last night. If he backed down, the Directorate of Ceremonial would lose all its prestige and there would be no way to turn the tide.

"Eunuch Chen's words are a misjudgment of the situation!"

Zhao Jingwu, the Minister of War who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up, which surprised everyone. After all, Zhao Jingwu had not been a member of the cabinet before, and these matters were not his concern. His speaking up was rather strange. Even the chief minister Li, who was sitting at the head of the table, opened his eyes slightly and looked over.

Minister Zhao stepped forward, bowed deeply,
"Your Majesty, this matter concerning the sentencing of Xu Changwen should not have been addressed by this old minister. However, after listening to the words of the Grand Secretaries and several eunuchs, I found them all to be reasonable. Xu Changwen deserves to be executed, a fact that the Cabinet has never denied! As for the severity of the sentence, that is Your Majesty's decision. The only issue at hand is timing! It is indeed difficult to make this case acceptable to both the public and the people, and to silence any criticism from the masses. But what I must say is that a memorial regarding military affairs has arrived from the south."

Zhao Jingwu took out a stack of folded documents from his bosom, held them in his hands, and said;
"Your Majesty, the garrison troops in various prefectures of Jingnan have begun to assemble. Several chief officials from the princes' residences have also submitted memorials to form a large army to suppress the bandits. The assembled troops are stationed in Fancheng, Jingnan, north of the Linghe River. Furthermore, there are urgent reports from the three prefectures of Changyun, Ningnan, and Nanhe in the south that the bandit army has suddenly moved south from the north side of Lingnan and swept across the south. It is feared that the bandit cult has been resurrected and has established its own territory."

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the hall immediately became heavy. The rebel cult had just been suppressed in the south of the capital, but it had resurfaced in the blink of an eye. Was this a scheme orchestrated by several princes? It was still unknown.

Seeing that the important matters had not been discussed and another matter had been added, the Empress's eyes became even more gloomy.

"Ahem, Minister Zhao, let's postpone this matter for now. Since you agree to postpone the case, I also have something to say."

Chief Minister Li, holding onto the armrest of his chair, coughed twice.

"Your Majesty, Xu Changwen deserves his punishment. He is now imprisoned and cannot escape. However, the autumn imperial examination is approaching, and the special examination is imminent. He will still be granted favors. But the Emperor Emeritus is reluctant to give up. In that case, these memorials should be forwarded to the Emperor Emeritus. It is said that Heaven cherishes life. How could the Emperor Emeritus make things difficult for a mere county magistrate and scholar like him? Although I am old, there are some matters that require the emperor and father to be on the same page, and between father and son. Honest advice is often hard to hear, and we should not be blinded by either side."

He spoke slowly, and everyone in the hall heard him clearly. The civil officials on one side all nodded in agreement, only Eunuch Chen was unwilling.
"A double-edged sword? Your Excellency, please be careful with your words!"

Chen Hui's voice suddenly turned icy cold.

"The Grand Secretary of the Directorate of Ceremonial is responsible for approving imperial edicts on behalf of His Majesty! All actions and discussions must be in accordance with His Majesty's will! Could it be that the Grand Secretary's words are an insinuation that His Majesty is not discerning?"

He turned and bowed deeply to the throne, his tone turning to grief and indignation:

"Your Majesty! The loyalty of our servants is as clear as day! Xu Changwen's crimes are numerous and irrefutable. The sooner he is brought to justice, the sooner his poison will be eradicated and the people's hearts will be at peace! If we delay, the people of the world will be full of gossip. You gentlemen are all aware of the cult's methods of bewitching people. If the cabinet ministers keep delaying, what kind of logic is this!"

Chen Hui's words were extremely sharp, each sentence like a sword, but Prime Minister Li had seen all kinds of people, and he simply shook his head.
"Eunuch Chen, there are many difficult things in the world. How can we keep pursuing this matter? Since the Ministry of War's memorial has been accepted, it means that the rebel sect is not giving up. The three southern prefectures are by the sea, and the people there are fierce and not easy to deal with. If we cannot stop them, we can only rely on the princes of Jingnan to use troops."

After all, the southern army was all in Sichuan and the Nanjing-Nanjing line. If the princes did not send troops, the only option would be for Prince Langping of the South to lead the army to quell the rebellion. The state of affairs was in dire straits.

After a soft sigh, Emperor Wu Zhou Shihong stopped tapping his fingers, raised his eyes, and slowly swept his deep gaze over the high-ranking officials below.

With the war reignited outside the Great Wall, Marquis Luoyun returned to the area. The capital garrison and the prefectural army were being rebuilt, which would take time. The southern prefectures were in turmoil, and the resurgence of the rebel cult was imminent. All these events were rapidly swirling, merging, and weighing in his mind.

As for the case at hand, it is indeed insignificant compared to these matters. However, the Emperor Emeritus needs a way to save face. The officials of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs understand the Emperor's intentions, but unfortunately, they acted too hastily.

"enough."

The two somber words, like a bucket of ice water poured over their heads, instantly silenced Li Yanming and Chen Hui, who bowed their heads in shock.

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Zhou Shihong's gaze first fell on Chen Hui:
"Chen Hui!"

"The old slave is here."

Chen Hui immediately agreed, took a few quick steps forward, and bowed even deeper.

"You say Xu Changwen's crimes are irrefutable and he should be executed quickly as a warning to others and to uphold the law?"

Zhou Shihong's tone was flat, revealing neither joy nor anger. Chen Hui was terrified, but he could only nod and reply with a stiff upper lip.

"Yes, Your Majesty! The case has already been thoroughly investigated. Although Xu Changwen is not greedy, he used this to seek fame, which was nothing more than an attempt to force the emperor to abdicate and leave his mark on history. If future generations follow his example, the country will be in danger. This villain must be killed to appease public anger and set the record straight!"

Zhou Shihong nodded slightly, turned his gaze to Chief Minister Li, and asked:

"Li Qing."

"The old minister is here."

"You said there are still key points in this case that need to be clarified by the Cabinet and the Ministry of Justice. A hasty decision might lead to oversights, and it would also discourage the civil and military officials of the court?"

(End of this chapter)